Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-12-23
JUDGE SEWARD SMITH.

Ais Death at Mt. Pleasant--Associate
Justice in Dak0ta--A sketch OF Mis
Career.
Dos Moines Register, 20; The death
of Judge Seward Smith occurred yes
terday at the hospital at Mt. Pleasant,
and telegram announcing simply that
fact was sent to his wife in this city.
The funeral will occur in this city prob.
ably tomorrow afternoon.
MIR. Seward Smith came of New
England iaE;:;y, strong and influential
and Was one OF large family of children,
He was born in Weat Granville, Mass. !,
August l., 1880, and called that place his
home until he was about 20 years OF age.
In She meantime he had obtained q
good education at the academy ct West
field. Here also he studied Law, but
gained his principal legal lecrning at
aaIesbnrg. Ill. Then he began the
practice of Law and at once rose to q
front rank in his profession. About
thirty years ago he came to Des
Moines from Galesburg and formed a
partnership with Thos. 8. Withrow for
tho practice of law. This firm contin-
ued in existence for many years and
grew to be one OF the strongest in the
state. He was city solicitor from 1866 to
1872 and Rgain from 1876 to 1873. He
was attorney for the old Keokuk and
Des Moines railroad and for the Capital
city gas light company aud Des Moinea
street railway. He Afterwards went in
partnership with Judge r. M. Bay yliss
which partnership continued until 1886
when President Arthur appointed hin,
to be associate justice OF Dakota. In
August Of that year be went to Dakote
and assumed hls new duties, for which
he was eminently fitted by reason OF hit
many years of pi Rctice iu Rtate and feder
al courts. While engaged in this worh
he was accompanied by his wife, and bis
work was very arduous. He was assign
ed to the fifth judicial district, compris-
ing o large territory through the soutt
central portion of Dakota. He remained
but about two weeks at eaci
city where the territorial courts
were held. and swice year the
justices met, and acting as supreme
court, reviewed their cases. He went
among strangers, bat everywhere he
made friends very quickly, his many
qualities as man and jurist commend.
ing him to the good Rraces OF the people
He was very successful in giving satls-
faction in ell his decisions, and they be-
came recognized at once az true and
careful interpretations Of the law. Blu,
when the present democratic admins
trations came into power aspiring poll
ticians demanded his place and got il
The last decision was the only one which
was ever questioned. A lawyer hac
sold his practice, und in writing hal
agreed to quit the county. But Huron
which was in the county, suddenly be-
came talked ct for tie future capital
end the lawyer remained and kept hi,
practice. He was disbarred by JudR,
Smith. The defendant was democrat
and o democratic Judge was appointed
who reversed the decision.
| Judge Smith came home to Des Moine
broken in health and spirits, worn on
in body, and his brilliant career wa
soon to close. Shortly after comin,
home he showed signs OF weakening
mind. He grew worse, but kind friend
and loving hands kept the terrible tYutl
from the world untilit became certai
that his once powerful brain had becom
q total wreck. He was then taken Il
the hospital, where he gradually san
from mental to physical illness and dice
The only time, previous to his fins
break down two years ago, when b
showed signs of the approaching disaster
was when, on visit to Des Moines,
suddenly was seized with paralysii
could not talk, and told his wife that b
was frightened. His trouble was ur
doubiedly brought on on the bench j
Dakota:
Twenty-one years ago the coming Ne
: Years day in making New Years cal
he became acquainted with Mary
Hyde, Of Ellington, Conn. She remains
in tho city some time, and returne
home. MIR. Smith married her May
1869, and she survives him. He al.
had tive sisters and three brothers, wi
3 yes live, out OF family OF swelve-Mrl
Chaplin, 10 Florida; Mira. RaisiDg ton.
Texas; Mrs. Moulton and Mrs. Bancrai
Galesburg, Mrs. Pickett, in Connection
8 George. ~ New Bedford; Rev. A. b.,
Z Kentucky, and Ford, IN st. Louie.
Seward Smith was member Of q
4 Congregational church, the oldest
8 years o fmembership OF any in ID
= Moines. Heshad been 0 strong repubI
9 can and took great interest in polite
4 affairs. He was always Q pyomins
Q figure at county conventions and gen,
II ally was called on for speech.
J. starse iout in bis career brilliantly ai
q was alwayH regarded ss 8 thofou,
q mantSfEOS bia prOyex,alcn. AZ ehnwi